85mm f/1.2 ii or 135mm f/2

[K-amps]

Sorry if this topic has been covered before  , but If I were to add a nice portrait lens to my collection of zooms, which one should I consider and why? Some of the things I would like you guys to factor in are:

Buying used, resale value, is the 85mm worth 2x the price of a 135mm etc

thanks!

[neuroanatomist]

I've got both, but I'd go for the 85L II if your budget allows.  I believe you have the 70-200 II, and while the 135L is an excellent portrait lens, and the 1-stop difference with the 135L is noticeable, it's not a huge difference.  The 85L is really a wonderful lens, great for portraits.  Get a 3-stop ND filter if you'll be shooting outdoors and want to open up the aperture. 

[K-amps]

Thanks Neuro. I have never shot anything below f2.8, so please elaborate on using the 3 stop ND, would I still over expose if I had the shutter at 1/8000th of a sec?

[Random Orbits]

Thanks Neuro. I have never shot anything below f2.8, so please elaborate on using the 3 stop ND, would I still over expose if I had the shutter at 1/8000th of a sec?

A 3 stop ND would get you back to shutter speeds that you would be used to using your 70-200 II outside in bright light.  Let's say that with a f/2.8 lens you find yourself at 1/4000s at ISO 100.  The 85L II at f/1.2 would require shutter speeds at around 1/20000s, which is beyond the limit of the camera, so the exposure is blown.  The 3 stop ND would get you back down to shutter speeds between 1/2000 and 1/4000.

[RLPhoto]

135L hands down. It's has less distortion, more compression, is much cheaper, and is Uber Sharp.

The 85L is awesome too but it still may distort faces alittle more when getting too close on FF and the bokeh is more "creamy" on this lens.

I prefer more compression but Distortion can look good on certain subjects.

[K-amps]

Thanks Neuro. I have never shot anything below f2.8, so please elaborate on using the 3 stop ND, would I still over expose if I had the shutter at 1/8000th of a sec?

A 3 stop ND would get you back to shutter speeds that you would be used to using your 70-200 II outside in bright light.  Let's say that with a f/2.8 lens you find yourself at 1/4000s at ISO 100.  The 85L II at f/1.2 would require shutter speeds at around 1/20000s, which is beyond the limit of the camera, so the exposure is blown.  The 3 stop ND would get you back down to shutter speeds between 1/2000 and 1/4000.

Thanks, RO,  I figured that the ratio of the shutter speeds would be 4x of the f/2.8, I just didnt know what the actual boundaries are in terms of if I'd regularly crossing 1/8000th in normal daylight, or how often.

[K-amps]

135L hands down.

We are beginning to see some variety in opinion... 

[ablearcher]

135L  for me. Aside from debatable items (like bokeh, IQ, sharpness, etc, etc) there is one thing that would make me take 135L over 85L - AF speed.

[helpful]

I find the 135mm f/2 more useful. It is so fast (in more ways than just the aperture) and much more well balanced.

And I would recommend for the time being the Sigma 85mm 1.4 over the Canon 1.2.

Since a new 135mm might be coming out, I would buy the Sigma 85mm 1.4 if I were you. The Sigma 85mm 1.4 is practically the best achievement of Sigma.

You will not regret it. And if later on you were to buy the Canon 1.2 and use the Sigma 1.4 and Canon 1.2 side by side, I am sure that you will prefer the Sigma 1.4. The only downside to the Sigma is it doesn't have the fancy candy cane look.

[dickgrafixstop]

I'd take the money and buy the 135 f2.0 - and then use what's left over for the 85mm f1.8.  Both are incredibly
sharp and have their own uses.  While I covet the 85mm f1.2, the 400% price difference is just too much for me
for a couple of stops. 

[Tcapp]

I find the 135mm f/2 more useful. It is so fast (in more ways than just the aperture) and much more well balanced.

And I would recommend for the time being the Sigma 85mm 1.4 over the Canon 1.2.

Since a new 135mm might be coming out, I would buy the Sigma 85mm 1.4 if I were you. The Sigma 85mm 1.4 is practically the best achievement of Sigma.

You will not regret it. And if later on you were to buy the Canon 1.2 and use the Sigma 1.4 and Canon 1.2 side by side, I am sure that you will prefer the Sigma 1.4. The only downside to the Sigma is it doesn't have the fancy candy cane look.

+1.

Go for the sigma 85 1.4  Its my favorite lens. ANd Might I suggest a CPL for bright outdooor shooting? It basically functions as a 2 stop nd filter, but also boosts saturation and reduces reflections when you need it to.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I have a 135mm L, its great for FF, but I'dlove to have a 85mm f/1.2.  I do have the f/1.8 version, but it have used it less than half as much as my 135mm L, in fact, it gets basically the same use as my 50/1.4 and 2/3 the images of my 35mm L.
I keep looking for a deal on one, but they are not as often found  locally on Craigslist. 

[K-amps]

No one suggesting that for the same money, get both the Sigma f/1.4 and the 135L? 

On a separate note:

I  read a review on the Sigma 1.4, (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-85mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx) and it showed both the Sigma and the Canon @ f/1.4. The canon had much more OOF blur quantity than the Sigma even though they were both at f/1.4. Anyone know about this and why?

Looking at the pictures it seems the Canon renders backgrounds more OOF/Blur than the Sigma does at comparable F stops. If my eyes are any good, it seems Canon at f2.0 renders as much OOF as the sigma does at f1.4.

[bdunbar79]

To actually answer the question, if I had to choose ONE, I'd get the 85L.  However, since I shoot sports, the 135L works great there.  85L is great for portrait work/wedding work.

[Random Orbits]

I've got both, but I'd go for the 85L II if your budget allows.  I believe you have the 70-200 II, and while the 135L is an excellent portrait lens, and the 1-stop difference with the 135L is noticeable, it's not a huge difference.  The 85L is really a wonderful lens, great for portraits.  Get a 3-stop ND filter if you'll be shooting outdoors and want to open up the aperture.

+1.  The 2.3 stop advantage makes the choice between the 85 and 70-200 more pronounced.  The sigma is 0.3 stop slower but is a lot less expensive, but that is a different set of pros/cons.  Ultimately, it comes down to which focal length you prefer:  85 or 135?  If you value the focal lengths about the same, then a fast 85 lens will give you a larger DOF difference from your existing kit.